Fuel burner



Aug. 9, 1938.

W. C. SKINN ER FUEL BURNER s sheets-sheet 2` f V Filed April 1, i955 lNvEm-o WILLIAM C SKINNER :UNITED STMIES'Iv :PATENT- OFFICE 8,125,063 roepnaam wiinmasinncancwamgn y ma@ ninfa-ms. serein 1 mijne-soi 'me invention relat tornei nimm of me type'` shown and described in myformer Iatent-No.'

11,225,200, issued-my s, 1917. AIl; is the vcolector the present invention to simplify the construction l decrease cost of manufacture, facilitate repairs and replacement *ofl parts, Vimprove the operationand generally to obtain better and more eilicient jects in view the invention consists in various fealll tures of construction as hereinafter set forth.

In .the drawinsil:-

2 Fig.v 4 is `a sectional perspective view;

Fig. 5 is. an enlarged cross section through the fuel support on line 5-4, Fig. 2;

Fig. B is an'elevation of ash dumping mechanism; l

Fig. 'I is a section. through the ash boxshowins the manner oi engaging the fuel supporting member therewith:

Fig. 8 is a section showing the connection between therrockable damper bars and the actuat- 30 ing mechanism therefor.

While my improved f uel burner is applicable to varioiiaheating devices'. I'have shown it as applied-to a hot air heating furnace. l The general type-of as shownin my former patent -35' above refered'to comprises a central combustion chamber 'formed' of refractory material and havthe fuel support i and ing perforated walls, a fuelholding'chamber surrounding this combustion chamber, the fuel being supported upon a normally; imperforate Y `40' an annular air feeding chamber surrounding the fuel holding chamber and communicatingA therewith through apertures in the walls thereof, and al draft connection between' the combustion chamber'and the chimneyu- With such an arrangement when in full operation the volatile. constituents of the. fuel'are distilled in the fuel chamber and commingled with air radially inward from the surrounding air chamber,-the1commingled products entering the central combustion cham-i 50 ber where they are burned. This central combustion chamber is alsoprovided with an additional air supply controlled by a damper or valve rand thus substantially combustionis -ob tained. After the volatiles have been distilledV from the fuel and the solid portions have become f on chamber. Thus the construction while solid fuel becomes'in eiecta gas burner. 5

To cause the operation *just described, it is. essential to normally prevent entrance of air construction andcombustion. With these ob' g through the bottom supporting thefuelbed and at the same time it is necessary to provide 'for "the removal of ash after the fuel is consumed. 10 j Both of these functions are very satisfactorily per- Fig. v1 is a vertical central cross section through formed in my rpresent fuel'burner by a novel construction of dumper fuel support-constituting `one of my improvements. Another improved feature is in the construction'of the combustion chamber 15 1 which is .formed in sections so that in case of the breaking or burning out of one section it can be easily replaced without dismantling the entire structure. A third improved feature is in the construction of a nre box which also is formed in sections separately removable and replaceable.y These and various other improved features are the subject matter of the present invention. In detail, and as shown in the drawings, A is a. base plate on which is supported a rectangular ash box section B having -an annular top plate C for supportingthe walls of a circular iire box D and surrounding circularair chamber E; Supported from-.theplate C on opposite sides thereof and secured by bolts Fare parallel angle bars G.

These support a rectangular frame H which has an air vsealing engagement with a depending nage C' on thejplate C.; The fuel support comprises a series of parallel inverted V-shaped channel barsy I, some of which extend between the I', being attached to an annular plate, I4, seated in saldi-frame. `Within. the channel. bars I are rocker bars K which extend from front to rear of the frame H and are journaled in bearings K' v attached iso-said frame`by bolts K2. Each of these rocker bars -is provided with a pair of oppositely extending wings K3 and-K4. The wings Ka ex 50 tend across thespace between adjacent channel "bars I, being provided with sharpened ribs K5 andKi for engaging V-shaped grooves K" 'on the undersides of said channel bars so as to 'form sub- I stantiallyf air-tight closures. therebetween. .The

wings K4 are within the recesses in the channel bars I and are provided on their under faces with V-shaped grooves Ks engaged by ribs K at the outer edges of the wing K3. Thus in the closed position the entire area within the frame H with the exception of that within the central frame I' is closed by the bars I and wings K3 and K4. The rocker bars K which extend beneath the central frame I" have the wings K3 and K* interrupted so as to extend only to the outside of said central frame.

walls extended downward as indicated at I5 to the level of the upper face of the wing K3, thus closing any air connection between the space outside and inside said frame.

As previously described. the outer walls of the air chamber E are supported on the plate C 'and extend upward therefrom. At the top of these walls is an annular plate L having a rib L' extending within the outer wall of the air chamber E and a rib L2 for extending within awall of the lire box D. This re box is formed of a series of alternate segments D' and D2 having overlapping portions D3 and D4 formin'g a break joint therebetween. At theirylower ends the segments D and D2 are provided with tongues D5 which engage a groove in the upper face of a circular rib H integral with the frame H.v 'I'he upper ends of the segments D and D2 are spaced from the plate L and are provided with outwardly extending flanges Ds which are secured to said plate by bolts D". Sleeved on these bolts are spacers Ds which hold the plate downward with its tongue D5 in engagement with the groove in the rib H. Thus all of the segments are securely held in position and together form a circular ilre box. These segments are alsoprovided with slots or apertures D through which air can pass from the outer air chamber into the interior of the fuel chamber. The construction just described is such that if at any time it becomes necessary to replace any portion or portions of the fire box this can be easily accomplished by disengaging the bolts D'I and removing the filler blocks Ds. after which the segments may be lifted to disengage their tongues D5 from the groove in the ribs H and then removed outwardly.

The wall of the central. combustion chamber J l is circular in horizontal section and slightly tapers from its upper end downward. Y This Y wall* is also formed in segments. preferablythree in number. and are of a highly refractory material such as carborundum. They are further'provided with slots J which permit passage .of the combustible Dlaoement. "1he combustion chamber is connected to the'chimneyl draft by means of an upwardly extending tube M and aradiator N which latter iseonnected at its upper end by an elbowN' l with thechimney nue. The arrangement is such that :the chimney draft will create a partial l vacuum within the tube M and radiator N,' this being communicated to the central combustion chamber J and causing the drawing in of the This central frame has its side and end'y a plurality of columns N1I which at their lower 'ends engage sockets C on the plate C and at their upper ends engaging similar sockets on the .-radiator. The radiator comprises a hollow cen- 'tral .portion 'N having a plurality of air tubes Nl the annular flue 'between the walls N1 and N and finally to the chimney.' `This will providev a large amount of heating surface for contacting with the air enclosed within an outer air -iaciret 0. l i

As just described. the weight of the radiator is carried upon the columns N2 while the walls of the central 'combustion chamber J are carried on the plates J2 and L. 'Ihe tube M which connects these -two parts is formed in a plurality of segmentswhich are externally engageablqwith the upper end of the central combustion chamber J and the lower end of the radiator and are then secured to each otherby surrounding split bands M connected by bolts M1. This permits of easily assembling the patin and also easily removing them in case it is necessary for repairs, it being only required that the bands M'. should be removed and the segments of the tube M detached, after which the segmental walls of the central combustion chamber J maybe lifted out from .the fire box.

Where, as shown, the *fuel burner is used in a hot air heating system the outer jacket O surrounds all of the other parts and permits air entering from the lower return conduits O' to come in contact with the wail of the air chamber E with the tube M and all portions of the surface: of the radiator N. The upper end of the jacket O insteadof coping inward as is usual in hot air furnace constructions is of :the reverse form. ilaring outward as indicated at 03. This I have found greatly stimulates circulation of the heated air through the distributing conduits which latter are connected into the flaring portion as indicated at O.

At the front of the jacket O is an inwardly -reoessed frontnlate P'whion provides aoceosto the door Q of che ash oit and also to'. dooror lid R. for feeding fuel into the flrebox. Awater tank 'S is arranged in this front portion to humidify the air intothe circulating system, a

portion of nud tank extending within ynuo Jacket.

To permit of engaging'or removing the fuelA support, I preferably provide the following construction: The angle'bars G are connected at their real ends t0 the plate C by the bolts F, as

previously described. These angle -bars'fthe'n in-'.

cline downward toward the frontl as indicated at may be passed and raised atdts rear end. To this end the frame H has proiecting pins H1 which slidably engage 'the angle barsG so that when said frame is moved inward through the open door Q of the ashpit, its rearend'will be elevated. The front end of the frame is provided with upwardly extending hooked lugs H4 whichv pass through apertures in the4 top plate C, and are Y G to form a guidewayover-which the frameVH then engaged by turned buttons H2s to 75 the frame in this position. When thus supported the rear `bar H engages the depending ange C' on the plate C and the side barsof the frame H engage the similar depending flanges on the plate C. In this way an air sealy is provided to prevent air fromv within the ash box passing upward through the fuel support. f

With'the construction as-described. the ope nenas as follows: The starting :un is placed in the fire box and kindled throughthe opening normally closed by the cover It, after which this box ,v is filled'with fuel of any desired quality but preferably of lower grade, such as slack. lhe damper or butterfly valve P is normally open but during the feeding vof fuel into the fire box is closed by turning a handle I* extending to the front of the furnace and thus the chimney draft will prevent the escape of gas outward through the fuel feedopening.l Aftervclosure of the fuel door R the valve F is`open which permits air to pass upward from the ash pit section into the interior of the L combustion chamber and'tdcommingle with gaseous fuel inward from the' fuel box into the combustion chamber. This fuel is composed of the volatiles in the solid fuel 'commingled with air passing through the slots in the walls of the ilre box, through the fuel and slots inthe walls ofthe 'combustion chamber. No air is permitted to pass upward through the fuel support as the wings Ks and K4 form a-practically air-tight closure. However, air is permitted to enter the annular air chamber through a draft door 8 adis then distributed uniformly through `theilslots in the walls of the circularfire box to-A pass radially inward through. the fuel therein.

When the burner is in full operationu the fuel within the ilrev box is consumed by process of low 'temperature distillation, therefore. clinkers are never formed in the ilre box of this furnace. All released combustible gases are drawn into the ,centrall combustion-chamber where they are mixed with free oxygen admitted at the bottom or lower end of said chamber. 'I'husanhinstand wallsof the.tube and into the-radiator, thusv 'taneous ignition of all combustible gases occurs.

producing an intensely hot flame. -The heated products of combustion pass upward through the transferring said heat tothe surroundingair. At suitable intervals ash may be removed from the lower part ofthedlre boxV by rocking the bars K which, as shown, may be accomplished by connecting the endsof-.said bars with rock arms T,

au of which are pivotany connected with a shakerbar T' operated by a shaker lever T2. The rocking ofthes bars will swing Vthe wings K3 and K4 oppositely permitting the ash to drop out from the space between thev stationary bars I. The wings are then :returned to normal position where again an air seal is enected preventing any 'passage of airthrough the fuel Support.

Some of the important features of the invention are: (1 the means for effectively preventing passage of airupward through the fuel support;

This is accomplished by wings K3 and K4 together with the sharp edged ribs K5, K and K which en-l gage the v'shaped grooves K" .and K'. There always be a certain quantity of ash supported upon these wingswhich will seal any slight spaces that may remain when the wings are in closed position. 'At the same'time the construction is such to pernnt of readily and enectively removing the ash as frequently as necessary.

(2) 'l'he ease with whichthe walls of the combustion chamber and of the nre pot may be removed is very important. l There is always dany tion said rockable bars will permit the ger that carelessness some portion of M casing the segments or thetube. 'after which the combustion chamber may be liftcdout of engagement-with the. plate J2; -v

'Another important Vvfeature is that the air jacketf is formed with haring side walls Q'at its upper end while the top 05 lnclines downward, towards the center. Thus the heated air rises within the jacket and'tends Vto pass outward into the space ulating circulation through the air nues O.

-What I claim as my invention is:

between these flaring walls and top, thereby stim- 1. Ina fuel burner of the type including a-,cen-.

y tral perforated combustion chamber, a. surrounding outer air'chamber and an Vintermediate fuel chamber. an ash box s'ection beneath said chambers, a top plate for said ash box section having an opening therein registering with the airchamber, Y

fuel chamber and combustion chamber, 'a fuelf' supporting member within and ashbx supported from said top plate'to form an seal therewith,k

said member comprising a substantially rectanguf'- lar frame, aseriesof spaced channel bars extending across said vframe and a central annular frame registering with the. combustion chamber,

and a-series of rockable barshaving overlapping oppositely extending wings. one of said wingsof each rockable bar being within one of said channel bars 'and the other of said wings extending' across the space between said channel bars and forming a sealing engagement fwith the opposite e wing of the adjacent rockablebars whereby said channel bars and rockable bars will form -in one position a closed bottom for supporting the fuel within said fuel chamber and in another posiof ash from said fuel chamber. 2. In a fuel burner of the type including a central perforated combustion chamber, a Vsurrounding outer air chamber andan intermediate fuel chamber, an ash. box section beneath said chambers, s top plate Vfor said ash boxsecti'on dumping having an-openlng thereinregisterin'g with the n air chamber. fuel chamber and combustion cham-l ber, a fuel vsupporting membei'within' said ash-box v supported from said top plate to form an air seal therewith, said membermcomprising a 'substantially rectangular frame, a series of spaced channel'bars extending across said frame and a central annular frame registering withv the combustion chamber, and a series'of roozsvkanlebars` having overlapping oppositely extending wings, one of said wings of each rockable bar belngwithin one of said channel bars and the of'said 4vwings extending acrossthe space between said channel f bars and forming a sealing engagement with the opposite wing of the adiacent `rockable bar whereby said channel bars and rockable bars will'form in one position a closed bottom for lsupporting the fuel `within said chamber and in another position said rockable barswillpermit the dump'- ing of ash from said fuel chamber, a for-said air chamber supported upon -saidtop Vplate sur- I mundingtheopeningthereimawallforthefuel Il chamber supported on said hollow bars and a` perforated combustion chamber wall supported on said. inner annular frame.

3. In afuel burner of the type including a central perforated combustion chamber, a surrounding outer airfchamber and an intermediate fuel chamber, anash box section beneath said chambers, a top plate for said ash box section having an opening therein registering with the air chamber, fuel chamberand combustion chamber, a

fuel supporting' member within said ash box supported from said top plate to form an air seal therewith, said member comprising a substantially4 rectangular frame, a series of spaced channel bars vextending across said frame and a central annular frame registering with the combustion chamber, and a series of rockable bars' having overlappingI oppositely extending wings,

one of s'aidwings of each rockable bar being within one of said channel bars and the other of said wings extending across the space .between said channel bars and forming a sealing. c pgagerment with the opposite wing of the adjacent rockable bar whereby said channel bars and rockable bars will form in one position a closed bottom for supporting the fuel within said fuel chamber and in another position said rockable bars will permit the dumping of ash from said fuel chamber, a wall for said air chamber supported upon said top plate surrounding the opening therein, a wall for the fuel chamber supported on said channel bars and a perforated combustion chamber wall supported on said inner annular frame, said rockable bars extending beneath both the fuel chamber and the surrounding air'chamber whereby any ash escaping from the fuel chamber into the air chamber will be dumped in the open position of said rockable bars.

4. In a fuel burner of the type including a central perforated combustion chamber, a surrounding outer air chamber and an intermediate fuel chamber, an ash box sectionbeneath said chambers, a topplate for said ash box section having an opening therein registering with the air chamber, fuel chamber and combustion chamber, a fuel supporting member within said ash box supported from said top. plate to form an air seal therewith, said member comprising a substantially rectangular frame, a series of spaced channel bars extending across said frame and a central annular frame registering with the combustion chamber, and a series of rockable bars having overlapping oppositely extending wings, one of said wings of each rockable bar being within one .of said channel bars and the other of said wings extending across the space between said channel bars and forming a sealing engagement with the opposite wing of the adjacent rockable bar whereby said channel bars and rockable bars will form in one position a closed bottom for supporting the fuel-within said fuel chamber and in another position .said rockable bars will permit the dumping of ,lash from said fuel chamber, said sealing engagement comprising V-shaped ribs on one of said oppositely extending wings engaging V-shaped grooves in4 vvcentral perforated combustion chamber, a surrounding outer air chamber and an intermediate fuel chamber, an ash box section' having an opening beneath said airv chamber, fuel chamber and combustion chamber, a normally closed fuel supportingmember within said ash box section extending across said opening, an air chamber wall supported on said ash box section surrounding said opening, a top plate for said air chamber and a portion of said fuel chamber supported Y fuel chamber wall formed of a series of overlap-I ping segments, said segments being supprt'ed at their lower ends on said member and detachably connected at their upper ends to the underside of the top plate for'said air chamber whereby upon removal of said annular cover plate said segmentsl may be individually removed and replaced without disturbance of adjacent sections.

6. In a fuel burner of the type including .a central perforated combustion chamber, a surrounding outer air chamber and an intermediate fuel-chamber, an ash box section having an opening beneath said air chamber, fuel chamber and combustion chamber, a normally closed fuel supporting member within said ash box section extending across said opening, an air chamber wall supported on said ash box section surrounding said opening, a top plate for said air chamber and a portion ofsaid fuel chamber supported from said walla circular perforated fuel chamber wall formed of a 'series ofoverlapping segments, said segments being Aengaged at their lower ends with said fuel supporting member and detachably connected at their upper ends to the'underside of the top plate for said air chamber whereby. said segments may be individually removed and replaced without disturbance of adjacent sections, an annular cover plate for a portion of said ffuel chamber removably supported from the top plate, Ia combustion chamber wall formed in a plurality of segments supported on said cover plate and permitting of removal without disturbance of the wall of the fuel chamber.

'7. In a fuel`burner of the type including a central perforated combustion chamber, a surrounding outer air chamber and an intermediate fuel chamber, an ash box section beneath said chambers, a top plate therefor having an opening therein beneath said air chamber, fuel chamber and combustion chamber, a normally closed fuel supporting member extending across said opening, an air chamber wall supported on said top plate surrounding said opening, a cover plate for said air chamber and fuel chamber supported by said air chamber wall, a fuelchamber wall formed in a plurality of overlapping segments, the lower ends of each segment having a tongue and groove engagement with said normally closed fuel supporting membery and the upper ends of each segment being spaced from the cover plate of said air chamber and fuel chamber, a rib depending from said latter coverplate overlapping said segments and a spacer between each segment and the cover plate thereabove for normally maintaining the tongue and groove engagement between the lower end of said segment and y said fuel supporting member whereby on the removal of said spacerfeach segment may be lifted to disengage said tongue and groove engagement.

WILLIAM c. sKrNNER. 

